Common Council

AREGULAR MEETING OFTHE COMMON COUNCIL OFTHE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:33PMONFEBRUARY 08, 2022, BYWEB-XDUE TOCOVID-19. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R.Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney BillFile, Secretary Susan Miller, ITDirector, BillKelly, Assistant ITDirector, Amy Evans, Council Members: Cody Reedy, Tom Sopher, Robert Dunlap, Bob Canter, Kevin Price, Sherrie Hunter, andJanine Bullock. The following Department Heads were present: Captain Parsons ofBeckley FD, Chief Christian ofBeckley PD Controller, Jessica Chandler, andCaptain Morgan. The Mayor reminded thepublic that theywill beable tomake comments when invited todoso byeither pressing * 3ontheir phone andtheir callwillbetaken intheorder itisreceived, orif viewing bycomputer ortablet, raising your hand byrightclicking your name andchoosing Raise Hand". The Mayor called themeeting toorder at6:33p.m.Council members, Department Heads and thepublic joined themeeting byWEB-Xeither fromtheir computer, orbyphone, using the weblink orphone number provided thedayofthemeeting ontheCity’swebpage at Beckley.orgorthe City’sFacebook page. Council dispensed with thereading andapproval ofminutes from theregular Council meeting dated January 25, 2022, copies ofwhich hadbeen distributed toeach member. Council unanimously approved theminutes aswritten onamotion byCouncilman Sopher andseconded byCouncilman Price. Next theMayor explained that theinvoice forthetruck that theCity purchased fortheLillian James Learning Center hadaprice increase. The original costwas $43,000.00. However, duetosupply chain issues theinvoice increased by $4,419.00. The new invoice amount is $47,419.08. The Mayor asked fora motion toapprove theprice increase, which was made byCouncilman Dunlap, seconded byCouncilwoman Hunter andunanimously approved byCouncil. Next was thefirst reading bytitle only byMr.FileanOrdinance Amending City ofBeckley Code Chapter 2,Sec.2-509And Sec. 2-510Increasing From $15K to $25K The Requirement OfFormal BidProcedures For The Purchase ofGoods. The ordinance was unanimously approved byCouncil onamotion made by Councilman Price andseconded byCouncilman Dunlap. Next wasthe firstreading bytitle only byMr.File anOrdinance Amending City ofBeckley Code Chapter 13, Article XIII.Hotel Tax ToIncorporate The Marketplace Facilitator IntoThis Chapter. The ordinance was unanimously approved byCouncil onamotion made byCouncilman Price andseconded byCouncilman Reedy. Next wasthe firstreading bytitleonly byMr. FileanOrdinance Authorizing theCity OfBeckley To Accept AsAGift From Harper Rentals, Inc. RealProperty Identified AsLot25, Main Street (Commonly Known AsThe WJLS Building). The Mayor stated theCity willberesponsible forthenew roof. Mr. File confirmed that theCity willberesponsible topayforthenew roof. Amotion was made byCouncilman Canter andseconded byCouncilwoman Hunter toaccept the ordinance onthefirst reading. Councilman Reedy stated thathehassome concerns that hewould likeCouncil toconsider before thesecond reading of thisordinance. The condition ofthebuilding concerns himduetotheroof leak. The possibility ofroof trusses, joists, andoldroofing systems being rotten areofconcern tohim. The weight ofthetowers on theroofisalsoofconcern tohim. The Mayor said thatMr.Trump, Recorder-Treasurer hascontacted several contractors about estimates toreplace theroof andtheone estimate hereceived was approximately $400K. The Mayor said that ifherecalls correctly, hethinks thatMr.Bickey hasanestimate togettheroof replaced forapproximately $120 - $140K. Mr.Trump stated thatseveral months agohe, Board ofPublic Works Director Jerry Stump, Walter Peplowski, andafewother employees fromthe Board ofPublic Works accompanied aroofing contractor (that the Cityhad previously utilized) tolook attheroof. Thecontractor andWalter climbed theroof andthey looked underneath. Nosignificant problems were detected. Mr. Trump stated thatthisdoes notmean thatproblems arenotthere. Mr.Trump further stated thathethinks that Councilman Reedy makes agood point andwemaynotknow until further work takes place. Mr.Trump said that hethinks Mr.Bickey would allow theCity tolook attheroof again. Councilman Reedy asked ifMr. Trump would provide Council copies oftheapproximate $400K estimate. Councilman Reedy also asked for acopy oftheestimate that Mr.Bickey obtained forapproximately $120 – $140K. Mr.Trump said thathe willdohisbest toprovide that information. With nofurther discussion regarding theordinance, theMayor asked foravote which was unanimously approved byCouncil. These ordinances arehereby incorporated into these minutes. Mr.File stated thatthesecond readings andpublic hearings onthethree ordinances willtakeplace onFebruary 22, 2022. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor extended aninvitation toCouncil members toattend acelebration ofBlack History Month intheCouncil chambers attheCity Hall inOak HillSaturday, February 12,2022, at6p.m. Thecelebration honoring Quincy Madison willbeFebruary 19, 2022, at1:00p.m.atCentral Baptist Church. Last week theMayor presented aProclamation inrecognition ofHenry Dickerson, a1969 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School who played intheNBA. Councilman Canter asked when theoriginal target date forcompletion oftheremodeling andopening ofFruits ofLabor is. The Mayor said that itwas February 14, 2022. However, because Tammy Jordan hasexperienced shipping delays duetoCOVID, thenew targeted opening date may beinearly spring. Billie Trump, Recorder-Treasurer, said that anymaintenance issues theCity isresponsible forprior tothebusiness opening have been completed bytheCity. The Mayor stated thattheCity ishopeful thattheparking lotsacross from Fruits ofLabor andEarwood Street willget paved bytheBoard ofPublic Works once theasphalt plants resume operations inApril. NEW BUSINESS: There was nonew business. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Kelly Elkins, Director ofS.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) asked fortheMayor's permission toput "Tobacco Free Zone" signage intheCityparks. The Mayor asked City Attorney, Mr.File, ifthiswould beokay andMr.Filesaid itis. Brian Brown questioned theterms ofthelease with Fruits ofLabor andwhat theCity's contingency plan isifFruits ofLabor fails. He also asked about theacquisition andremodeling costs. Heasked why theCityiscontinuing topurchase real estate when certain streets intheCity are under water. The Mayor stated thathedoes nothave this information readily available, buttheinformation isavailable andisnosecret. The Mayor asked ifthere were anyother public comments. With there being nofurther public comments, theMayor adjourned the meeting at7:05onamotion made byCouncilman Price andseconded byCouncilwoman Hunter. Mayor Recorder-Treasurer